ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court issued the written order of rejecting the applications filed by Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz to be granted immunity from appearing before the court.

The court said in its written order that ailment of the wife cannot be held as justification for exemption from appearance before the court.

Earlier on February 15 (Thursday), Islamabad’s NAB court rejected the pleas of the Sharif family to be exempted from appearing before the court hearing corruption references.

Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar pleaded with the court to grant them exemption from appearance February 19 to March 5.

The family pleaded with the court that they want to fly to London to tend to ailing Kulsoom Nawaz as she is suffering from cancer.

Earlier on Wednesday, the NAB approached the court and suspected that Nawaz, Maryam and Safdar may escape abroad to evade legal process. Hence, they requested the court that their names should be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).

The NAB also observed that the accused have not joined its investigations despite repeated summons.

Meantime, NAB Rawalpindi had filed on Wednesday two supplementary references against Nawaz, Hussain and Hassan in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment and offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd cases.

Appearing before the court of Judge Muhammed Bashir, Nawaz’s counsel requested the court to allow his client to travel abroad.

Opposing their immunity plea, NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Muzaffar Abbasi said the March deadline set by the Supreme Court to wrap up the case is just round the corner; hence, the court cannot afford granting this relaxation.

Abbasi noted that Nawaz’s two sons – Hussain and Hassan Nawaz – have already been declared proclaimed offenders in the case.

In today’s hearing, the copies of the two supplementary references filed by NAB against them were handed to the accused.

The court will hear of the case on February 22 (tomorrow). –Samaa Tweet